WASHINGTON — The first wave of active duty U.S. troops has arrived at the Southwest border.
The Army soldiers and Marines began arriving over the weekend, largely concentrated in El Paso, Texas.
The Department of Homeland Security requested the assistance, in anticipation of a large migrant surge following the May 11 expiration of Title 42 pandemic restrictions on non-U.S. citizens seeking asylum.
The troops are providing administrative assistance and are not involved in law enforcement activities.
"In terms of the Southwest border, we have approximately 550 active-duty troops that have arrived at the border. We do anticipate that another 950 will be arriving no later than 5 June," said Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder Monday at the Pentagon.
Ryder has said the troops will remain on this mission for no longer than 90 days.